FINALLY FRIDAY
Yeah, it’s Friday! Time for my favorite post of the week…Open Line Friday…Anyone asks…Everyone answers!
But first a…
COMMENT about COMMENTS
I LOOOVE your comments—-even when I don’t respond!
I read them all and truly enjoy hearing from you!
I often use ideas from your comments when I am planning and writing new posts.
I do my best to answer direct questions. If I haven’t answered your question–please just ask it again (my kids have learned to do this, too.) I won’t take it personally if you ask multiple times–and you shouldn’t either….
YOU are the reason I continue blogging…so keep the comments, questions, profound thoughts, silly stories, and family updates coming…YOU KNOW…
“I love to hear!”
OPEN LINE FRIDAY
I thought I’d start the ball rolling…(or should I say “the spool rolling”?)
Who taught YOU to sew? What are your earliest memories of sewing and needle crafts?
It also brings me to another question…
Have YOU taught anyone else to sew or quilt?
I’d love to hear….
Lori
PS…All images, tutorials and information are the property of Lori Kennedy at The Inbox Jaunt and are intended for personal use only. Feel free to re-blog, Pin or tweet with attribution to The Inbox Jaunt. For all other purposes, please contact me at lckennedy@hotmail.com. Thanks!
114 comments
BARBARA
I learned to sew on my grandmother’s Singer Treadle Machine which now sits proudly in my dining room & yes is used occasionally.
We were a farm family who supplied those living in “town” with eggs (duck, chicken, goose), butter, milks, & anything that could be sewn.
Mama made drapery, dresses, coats, & millions of pillow cases. This was in 1944 & do you know, I never knew there was a shortage of anything. We were lucky to live on a farm even though my Mama & Papa worked their fingers to the bone!
Mama made utilitarian quilts for our beds from discarded wool suits & they were gorgeous–I loved to trace the Herringbone patterns with my fingers. A silly child who was loved, nurtured & taught to read in the apple orchard before Mama & I could play house with moss stools, bits of wood (my grand father was a skilled carpenter), & I always had curls of wood from his planeing pieces of wood that was from trees on our property.
Sounds ideal doesn’t it–I now know better but back then I had the best of all worlds.
Lucie the Happy Quilter
My mother taught me to sew when I was 11. The first thing I ever made was a simple nghtie. I can remember using my mom’s beloved pink Singer sewing machine. It was a lovely shade of metallic pink. And instead of a foot peddle it had a knee peddle. Nowadays some 40+ years on I don’t make many garments but I do piece oodles of quilts and I do loads of longarm quilting. Sewing is a major part of my life. A day without some kind of sewing related activity is like a day without sewing.
Sharon
My grandmother taught me to sew on a Singer treadle machine. If things were not done properly, I had to rip out the stitches. Looking back, I have her to thank for her teaching me how to knit and crochet and type! Years ago when my granddaughter was 6 she sewed a quilt where the pattern came from Quiltmaker Magazine and I sent her picture with the quilt to the magazine and she was pictured in the magazine with the quilt. She is now 16 and doesn’t sew at all right now, but I planted the seed.
Helen Johnston
My mother taught me to sew when I was about five or six. I think I started with embroidering printed linen samplers. I had a very picky home ec teacher in junior high who made me rip out many seams because they weren’t up to her standards, but my mother told me that I would not have to sew a perfect flat felled seam to get into college, thus saving my love for sewing.
Nancy M
My mother taught me at age 5. We had a treadle machine and she would treadle while I sewed. My first time on the machine was a skirt for my doll. It was just simple gathers, but it was a designer dress to me. I have taught myself to quilt, but I have been sewing now for over 70 years and am still learning new things. I am on my third quilt, and just loving it. You’re never too old I guess to learn.
Nena
I learned garment sewing (and all things creative) from my grandmother. I have the 1946 Singer 15-99 that was hers. She started a fabric love affair with me as well as a reading love affair. Those two affairs have lasted a lifetime and given great pleasure with wonderfully creative moments along the way.
And, I have paid it forward! I taught my son how to sew when he was young and encouraged reading thought it was a struggle for him for the longest time. I am teaching his daughter how to sew but her dad instilled the love of reading in her, even as she struggled as he did to learn to read. Now 11 year old, she is ready to put that focus on fabric. I recently took her to her first sewing expo. She tried just about every hands-on demo available. She even tried playing with the various long arm brands. Even before making a quilt top, she has fallen in love with making a design on fabric…
Nena
Rosemary
How wonderful to read these beautiful stories! Thank you for sharing.
My first memory of sewing was on the treadle machine at age 4 or 5. I remember because I broke the needle and was afraid to tell my mother that I broke the machine. After finally confessing she said,” Oh your sister can pick up some needles on the way home from school.” Whew! Was I relieved.
In high school, had a wonderful teacher who let us sew anything we wanted. Did we ever have fun in that class! She even let us come and sew during study hall.
When my brother got married, he assumed that all women sew. Was he surprised. My sister-in-law did try (on a cheap machine that didn’t work very well) and called me to say she was having a problem with a piece. I asked if she had cut it on the bias. She said, “What’s that?…Oh, I am never sewing again!” And she didn’t and my brother had to learn that not all women sew.
I have taught a few classes over the years but the best was when my 8 yr old granddaughter wanted me to teach her to sew. We have made a couple dolly quilts. Unfortunately we live too far apart to work at it all the time.
My quilting inspiration started with “The One Block Wonder”. That got me hooked. My first machine quilting class was with Sarah Vedeler. She is a wonderful teacher and a beautiful person. Don’t you just love making feathers?!! I do.
Patricia Phillips
What a great thread!
My earliest memory is sitting under my grandmother’s singer treadle machine and working the treadle for her. I watched as she sewed dresses for me AND her. She bought me my first hand sewing kit in my 8th summer. By then I was helping my own mother by doing the tailor tacks (thread tacks) for her sewing. At times she would let me help do the layouts. I loved to watch her sew. She allowed me to have the scraps and I would attempt to sew (by hand) clothes for my dolls.
Mom had a Singer featherweight and we weren’t allowed to use it. But by the time I was in my teens, I was allowed to use it. That little machine was used by all of us 5 kids and, now that Mom is gone I have it. It still works great!
Patti
Helen
My mom taught me how to sew when I was about 6 or 7 with needle and thread, About 10 let me try the sewing machine, and boy I had a heavy foot! I remember dad laughing. She taught me how to knit around that time and I learned how to embroider by reading about it when I was about 12 or 14. I was always into some kind of craft ever since I can remember.
Carolyn
My mother was a wonderful seamstress and the first remembrance of the sewing machine was hemming feed sacks for kitchen towels. It was to teach me to sew a straight line. I remember not enjoying that particular experience, but later did 4-H sewing, home ec, where we had to make an apron for our first project, and my mom, being very frugal with her fabric, was appalled at the amount of fabric we had to purchase for the apron!
My sewing led to quilting, and have had lots of grandkids and their friends come to our home to make a quilt for themselves. We made quilts for the Ronald McDonald house when they were being home schooled. Great fun. Enjoy your posts. Carolyn
Peggy
I taught myself to sew when I was 7. I wanted to make clothes for my Barbie dolls, so my Mom gave me basic supplies, showed me how to make a knot and I was hooked on sewing. I began making my own clothes by middle school and made my first quilt in college with scraps from the clothing. I loved looking at quilts at the county fair but did not know anyone that made them so I taught myself basic patchwork and tied the corners instead of actual quilting. I did teach my daughter to sew and helped her to make a quilt. She appreciates the work that goes into a quilt more than she likes doing the work herself.
Donna
My mom made most of our clothing when I was growing up and she taught me a few things, but mostly I just watched her and figured out the basics. I took sewing in junior and senior high and improved my skills. Sewing was just a natural for me. I was always able to instinctively know what to do.
Learning to quilt was on my bucket list after I had ovarian cancer in 1996. A stepson’s girlfriend got me started and I went from there. I took a few classes and am self taught.
Right now I have three granddaughters who are learning to quilt and sew from me. Two of them are naturals just like me. They are the same age I was when I started and am amazed at how well they do.
Marianne
I was a six-year old deaf child when I was allowed to join the retired ladies who made various clothing for people in need. It took place at our church across the street so I was often there.
These wonderful ladies accepted me with good cheer and with gentleness, patience, and lovingkindness taught me to sew and to knit. I began to make some of my own clothes, and by junior high school, I made all my school clothes.
When I was in my 30’s I began quilting. I loved machine piecing and hand quilting. I made several quilts, and then slacked off, until I walked into the Quilt Shop, somewhat like Cobble Court Quilts, almost 10 years ago.
Quilting consumes most of my free time now. My stash is huge, and I have a too-large stack of ready-to-start quilts complete with their pattern waiting. Yes, I have them all listed in my Quilt Journal.
I’m teaching myself free motion quilting from your superb blog tutorials, and from the AQS article you’ve started. FMQ is the most fun I’ve ever had, although my progress, if any, is alarmingly slow. Still, it’s the most fun and I treasure “my stack” of practice pieces. It’s captivating.
Thank you so much for sharing with us!
Ginger
My sister taught me, sort of, when I was in the 7th grade. She handed me a pattern and fabric and said “Read the instructions and let me know when you have a question.” Turns out it was a great method, I am a great self learner.
Kris
My Grandmother and Miss Garralls in 7th grade. She made me sit by myself in the back room because I liked to talk 🙂 But I loved to sew, I loved putting patterns of fabric together. I made my boyfriend a quilt, all by hand for Christmas. He married me anyway. I made some of my clothes and some of our kids’ when they were little. Then life got busy. I started quilting again later and now have a beautiful embroidery machine, five grandkids and hoping for some time to learn how to make the next generation some cute stuff. I also like to collect sewing machines…my husband is still with me anyway.
Brenda Dunne
I learned to sew in 4-H. My mother is also a sewer (and quilter, but that came later) and great support than and now, but she was smart enough to sit back and let the 4-H sewing leader do the teaching! Through high school I sewed most of my own clothing, including dresses for prom and other special occasions. When my girls were small, I made most of their summer clothes. I had done very little sewing for years, but got hooked on quilting a few years ago after hanging out with my mother, my aunt, and my cousin when they made their daytrips to shop for quilting supplies.
Patty Happel
My Grandmother taught me some hand stitching, my Mom and Home Ec taught me to sew and my Dad would help if I got stuck reading a pattern. I’m teaching my Grandson and Granddaughter to sew and quilt. They are 9and 7
Julia
My mom taught me to sew, knit, and crochet at a young age, imparting to me a life-long love of sewing and crafting. She was a self-taught left-handed (!) knitter, the fastest knitter I have ever seen, and she had to reverse her technique to teach me, her right-handed daughter. I was never a good knitter but love to crochet, cross-stitch and quilt. My daughter has no interest in handwork so I haven’t passed on the legacy, but I’m so grateful my mother had the patience and took the time to teach me these skills which have brought such satisfaction and joy into my life.
Wendy
I first started to sew in Home Ec …grades 7&8. Then …it was in High school…. grades 10,11,12. I didn’t sew much after that until I had my first son and made him T-shirts and shorts… and gradually over the years went into sewing related crafts and then lots of Quilting, which I am still doing today. I’m just starting into machine free motion quilting.
Vickie Alldrin
Pretty much taught myself. Started doing small projects in high school and bought my first machine at 16. My Mom hated sewing…here’s the funny thing. I was adopted and at 18 I found out that my birth mother was an avid sew’er and even designed clothes. Guess that would make my passion genetic. That’s been 30 years ago and I still have a passion for sewing and quilting (just bought my 1st longarm, a Handiquilter).
Debbie Culler
My mom taught me to sew one summer, when I was around 10. I’m sure it was a tactic to keep me out of her hair during the non-school months! But I loved it and eventually became more proficient than my Mom, with the help of Home Ec classes. I came to that realization when my Mom kept buying patterns and material for clothes for herself and then gave them to me to make for her! I sewed until the birth of my second son–I made a few of their clothes, but boys are just not as much fun to sew for. Life got busy and I didn’t sew for probably 10-15 years. Recently my girlfriend of 44+ years got me interested in quilting and now I’m back to sewing some almost every day. I did teach one of my daughter-in-laws to sew a few years ago, but she hasn’t pursued it any further. I guess it is just too easy for her to ask her mother-in-law to do it for her! 🙂
kristensmithks
I got a “D” in sewing in home-ec my 1st semester freshman year in HS….moved to Ohio and I had to finish 6 more weeks of sewing (Arrrggghh!), but that sewing teacher was fantastic and taught me how to make many things the right way. I was off to the races! I make lots of clothes in HS and college, bedspreads, window treatments, clothes and costumes for my kids, clothes for my mom and mother-in-law, even a ‘leisure suit’ for my then 210-something husband!…I finally got into quilting when batik fabrics showed up and calicos (ick) were no longer the only fabrics available. I’ve been quilting for about 10 years or so. My 4 1/2 year old granddaughter made her first quilt a year ago using my Pfaff machine by herself (I pinned and ironed – she did all the sewing). She has chosen fabrics for her next quilt and that will be our summer project. I am so thrilled that she likes to sew and wants to do this with me!!! Sewing has been life-long love and a fantastic skill.
Geraldine Van de Kleut
My mother sewed wonderfully, but she had no confidence in herself as a teacher. She outfitted me for my first Home Ec class, and then said, “I can’t teach you. I’m a terrible teacher.”
I learned something in Home Ec, and then went on to sew the rest of my life. What my mother did, though, was offer me all of her remnants and tools to use freely. She took me to the fabric store and funded my ideas. And she answered questions when I was completely stuck (like, how can I possibly cut this doll’s shirt out on two folds at the same time?)
I think my mother taught me to sew. What I needed most was the set-up, and the time to play and figure things out. By sharing her love of the craft, and then everything she had, and then celebrating what I was able to do, she gave me everything I needed to sew.
Thanks, Mom.
bourdong1@gmail.com
Bonjour, j’ai appris à l’age de douze ans de le groupe de fermière dans mon petit village. Par la suite j’ai toujours fait mes vêtement aussi avec ma mère. La courtepointe j’ai vu mon arrière grand mère piquer des courtepointe. La courtepointe j’ai appris avec des livres et maintenant avec le net. Ma première courtepoite que j’ai fait en 1974. Mes parents travaillait beaucoup avec leurs mains , Papa m’as montré la broderie et maman le crochet. Maintenant j’ai un blog pour voir mes création ect
Gisele.
LumaLu
My Mom first taught me to sew, but with 5 younger brothers, there were some gaps in my instruction! Things became clearer for my after 4 years of HomEc in high school. (I’m dating myself) It’s a pity they don’t teach that anymore. I have been able to instruct my sweet daughter, Carmen, her friend, Renee and a daughter-in-love, Katy. Each of these girls are “sew” enthusiastic and brave in what they attempt to sew. I’ts great to see a new generation desire to continue the art.
Gail
At nine years old I wanted to learn to sew. My mom sewed, but she sent me to someone else to learn. It was in the basement of our local fabric store. I took off from there and by the time I was in Junior High I was sewing all my clothes. It was a little tough in Home Ec classes because I would be bored with what they were teaching, so they let me sew what I wanted. In 1978 I picked up the Eleanor Burns log cabin book and a whole new world opened up for me.
I work in a quilt shop now teaching sewing, quilting, or anything else they want me to teach. I love showing others how to sew/quilt. I have done many other crafts over my 60 years, but never gave up sewing when pursuing other interests.
Penny
My mom taught me to sew at a young age. She made most of my clothes and hers. She more like guided me than gave me serious lessons, I just liked creating things with fabric, It wasn’t until my son was grown that I started quilting and I learned that from books. My Grandma quilted but was gone by the time the “bug” bite me.
I taught quilting and clothes sewing to 4-H girls for several years. That was a challenge but I hope they learned enough to enjoy it now!
Charlie
For years I worried my Mother, I wanted to sew like she did. I would sit on the foot of her bed, cross legged (wish I could still do that) and beg every time she would sew on the White treadle, I too wish I had that machine.. Then around the age of 9, she bought me fabric to make a pair of PJ’s, they were too big, but I wore them out! She also taught me to crochet, I sat right next to her saying, if I had some of that thread and a needle I could make pretty things too,(I still have that needle) , after I married I made a Bedspread. Mother passed away, 5 years later and out of 5 girls (I’m the 4th) I am the only one that she taught. I learned to embroidery with my Grandmother, I still do that today also, love all kinds of handwork. I have taught, both of my daughters to sew, one does a little with me, and the other does beautiful English Smocking, I just taught her to Applique this past winter and I have started to teach 3 of my youngest grandchild and 1 great-grandchild to sew, PJ’s, pillow cases and a small hand pieced mug rug. I also teach quilt classes with a partner for the last 8 or 9 years, we really love to share our knowledge with others.
Susan Parker Slaton
Junior High School home-ec class got me sewing AND cooking! I don’t remember the teacher’s name(senior moment) but she was inspirational and fun. My Mom and I took a class to make a quilt when I had kids of my own, and that put me on my present path– quilting instructor and professional longarm quilter! I love teaching others to make quilts, as well as finishing quilt tops for timid quilters.
MaryAnn
I learned to sew in 4-H when I was about 5th grade. Our sewing leader was Eloise Wagner in the little town of Livingston, WI. She was a wonderful woman and worked much with 4-H. I made a fringed headscarf — you HAD too! Then I made a gathered skirt of a barnyard pattern. I kept that skirt forever and this past year I went to a quilting class…. I have now made a throw quilt for ME and used the 4-H skirt as big blocks in the quilt! Eloise was also our Foods leader. One year the theme was breads. When we got to her house for our meeting, she had bread in EVERY stage there could be — for us to work with! I continued to know Eloise through the years and when she went to heaven, I had the honor of officiating at her funeral/burial. I took my bread maker to the funeral home early and we had the aroma of fresh bread baking during the service. I shared my memories and after the service a woman came up to me and said, “WHO are you? I was at that foods meeting too!” It was a grade school classmate and we had not seen each other for many years! I sewed for myself, my husband, and my kids for many years. Then my sewing machine seemed to sit idle in my busiest working years. I’m LOVING sewing again through my quilting and am working on quilts for all of our grandchildren at this point.
rosemarazzle
Rosemary b here: Good morning Lori and other lovely friends here.
I love reading your stories.
When I was a little girl, my mom sewed for us. my parents are from Holland. My mom was born with just one hand, a left hand. This was quite upsetting back in 1923, but she had strong parents. Mom was grew up determined and happy to do anything she wanted to try. she went to a “home ec” school to learn to sew when she was in her teens. In Holland they had specialized schools for different careers.
Well, this sewing and home school proved to be a savior for her family. They survived WW2 even in Hunger Winter, my mom worked for the resistance army as well.
she made clothing, and repaired clothing for her family.
Then she got married to a very handsome guy, my dad.
They had 4 kids. Mom made all of us, my little brother too, clothing, adorable dresses, little blue corduroy suits for Johnny,, curtains everything and anything.
In 1956 she got a German Singer 316G.
I have that machine now. I started sewing when I was 8. I remember in the sewing room a big box (we used to keep the vacuum cleaner in it but it got full of fabric scraps) and I used to just sew and sew and sew a lot of silly things, bags and coats for dolls and then when I was about 12 I asked my mom to show me how to make things from patterns. In jr high I was the best in the class and did every one’s darts, zippers and sleeves when the teacher left the room.
My mom has done everything. She is still alive and loves to see what I make as I have just moved my parents close to me since mom’s stroke last year.
Thanks all for sharing your story
Carole @ From My Carolina Home
My grandmother taught me to sew. I remember making a vest for my teddy bear that I had loved the stuffing out of!
Carolina Moon
In 7th grade, at St. Charles, we were allowed to choose a “mini-course” taught by parents and grandparents. I took sewing. We made a reversible vest. It was kind of complicated sewing the two big sides together. I remember putting the pedal to the metal and all my seams were a bit wobbly, but I started using my mom’s sewing machine at home and made quilts for my sister’s dolls and I still quilt almost 40 years later!
Angele
I learn to sew in my home ec class even though my mother and grandmothers all sewed. I observed a lot. Then I decided to make myself shorts. Even though my mom was not happy I used her machine, I have to admit that my shorts looked pretty good despite being snug. Well I’ve sewn many shorts, skirts, pyjama pants and quilts since then. I still enjoy the journey and each new skill I acquire.
Dorian
I learned to sew in home ec class in junior HS, I continued sewing into the first year of HS, mostly clothes. But then I put away the sissors till I was settled down and married (in my early 20s), and decided I needed a quilt for my first baby. So I went to the library and got books and taught myself. Although both my Maternal Grandma and her Mom were quilters, I was never interested in it when I was young enough to learn from them. My Grandma and I did enjoy connecting over quilting though, as we both got older. She sewed till she was about 85, then she had to put her needle down 🙁
Rhonda Rannow
While I took a HomeEc class in 7th grade (1973), a third of the year was learning to sew. My teacher, Miss Wu (I think was her name) was very patient with me and extremely helpful. I made a simple peasant style blouse with elastic neckline and sleeves (can’t get much easier), then I made a skirt with a zipper and ruffled suspenders!@! This class experience lead me to my grandma, who then taught me so much more. I continued making clothing even though I continued to struggle to get them to fit properly. But then almost 20 years later while living in San Diego, I came across a quilting class at a local House of Fabrics store. That was it for me!! I couldn’t get enough. Then I discovered Eleanor Burns of Quilt in a Day, she changed my life. Now some 22 years later, I’m happy to say that I have taught both my daughters to quilt, many many friends, and too many students to count. Oh yeah, not to forget, my 5 year old grandson who has been sitting on my lap while I sewed since he was 6 months old, just asked for his own machine! When none of my old toy machines worked well enough, I pulled out one of my Featherweights and he’s claiming it! Now he hasn’t made a quilt yet, but we’re working towards it. 🙂
Craft A Life
I just always remember the women sewing. I remember my grandma showing me how to tie a knot in the end of the thread when hand sewing, just by rubbing the thread ends between her fingers. I never did get the hang of that! I was probably about 7 or 8. I remember an older cousin making clothes on an old treadle machine. And my mom always sewed clothes. But I seem to be the only one that caught the quilting bug!
Debbie D.
Mom sent me to Singer sewing school when I was maybe 12, in the mall, several Saturday sessions, I’ve no idea how many to be honest… it absolutely gave me the base to take up quilting almost 50 years later and not only take right to it, but turn out decent projects culled from several patterns put together! Recently I taught a dear friend how to do bindings.. with a small sandwich, needle & thread, in a hotel room when we were both supposed to be at a conference!
Rose Landon
Both my Grandmothers sewed and my Mom sewed a little but her thing was crochet. Both my Grandparents lived 2 hours away but I got to spend summers with them and they both taught me to sew. I can remember watching my Grandma using the treadle machine thinking how in the world could she make it go so fast. They were both more than patience with me and I could see what pleasure and relaxation it brought them and I wanted to do the same. When I was freshman in high school I took a Singer Sewing Class on garment making and came in 2nd. That was it I was totally hooked. Fast forward 10 years one day a friend invited me to her quilt group and one of ladies was teaching hand quilting that day. We marked our 8″ piece of fabric and sandwich it, gave us needle and thread after a few stitches I got this overwhelming feeling that I knew that I knew this is what I was suppose to be doing. That was 30 years ago and as they say the rest is History. I have now planted the seed to sew and quilt with my Grandaughter. We shall see.
Liz Blois
Hi, i don’t actually remember being taught to sew, I think it just came from watching my Mum sew. Then I was taught in a more formal way at school where I learned how to use a pattern, how to do french seams, tacking etc but when I discovered quilting It really helped me with so many other sorts of sewing. A few years ago I gathered a small group of people from my church who wanted to learn to quilt and I’ve been sharing my knowledge with them. Last year I helped a friend who couldn’t even sew a button on to make a quilt as a graduation present for her daughter. I also taught my sister -in-law to quilt and she has since shown two of her friends to quilt so the quilty love is being spread and I find it thrilling.
BTW you said to share family updates, I wrote telling you that I had made a welcome home quilt for my son’s girlfriend who is in the USAF and used your swirling stars in the border. Well she returned safely from Afghanistan last week and my son proposed to her as she got off the plane. We are thrilled to make this trans atlantic connection (we are British), my son is in the British Army so there will be quite a lot of things to sort out to make it work but I’m sure they’ll do it. She doesn’t have her quilt yet because she’s still in the States but we’ll see her here soon and I will give it to her then , thanks for all the inspiration you give me.
Carla
My mother taught me to sew. Growing up she made my communion dress, halloween costumes and later even my dresses for high school dances. I loved being able to pick out the exact style of dress I wanted & the fabric as well. I never had to worry about someone else wearing the same thing:) Then I began making quilts, a family tradition with my mother, aunts & grandmother. I still need my mother’s feedback and instruction, but I really enjoy the process…..I still prefer making throws & baby blankets but reading your blog and your published articles is certainly motivating me to challenge myself.
Debbie
Myself. Sadly when I was young I was surrounded by aunts, great aunts & cousins that sew and especially quilted. I didn’t want anything to do with it. I waited until I was in my 50s to become interested in quilting. I quickly became addicted. But, my family members that sewed/quilted have died or quit quilting due to age & health problems. Wish I had become interested back then or at the least paid some attention to what they were doing. *sigh*
Kira
I learned everything from my Mum, as her child apprentice taking tackings out and creating miniature doll versions of the dresses she made me. She taught me Japanese Goldwork on a rare 3day “me-time” visit last year. This Easter my 18yr old son asked me to teach him to make a teddy bear for the girl of his dreams, so he learned how in a week and was a natural!
Jane
Can’t remember not sewing…or playing with trims and buttons…teaching grandsons how to sew these days…a year ago, the (then) 4 yo pinned and sewed enough squares to make a 120″ sq quilt. And yes, he did the work himself, in my lap. Now it
s little brother’s turn. Grandma’s making the construction equipment applique from photos we took near our house, but it will have a border or two that my little guy will “help” with! He’s so excited!
Marianne
I sounds like such sweet fun to make a quilt with your grands!
Linda rose
I started sewing in high school. I really don’t have any person in family sews. I am self taught. I enjoy sewing for grandkids. Trying to get grandaughter involved
Peta
Me.
Laroletta Petty
My mother taught me to sew in about 1942 on a Wheeler and Wilson treadle machine. I wish I still had that machine but she was anxious to have a Singer that was converted to electricity. My dolls, though never played with, had lots and lots of clothes. I made my first wearable dress out of feed sacks when I was eight or nine.I grew up to be a Home Economics teacher. I required girls to try inserting their first zipper twice-and then I would do it if they were not successful. I never had one fail to get the zipper in the next garment. I have also taught quilting classes and mentor anyone who asks for my assistance. And, I am willing to learn new techniques. I still make most of my own clothing because I like unusual things and I quilt most every day at least for a while. I do lots of give away work. I have six sewing machines and each one has its own job. I camp with a featherweight that belonged to my husband’s mom and I still have and use my Singer 401 that I purchased in 1959 when I graduated from college. A life without sewing I cannot imagine!
Laura
My mother taught me how to use the sewing machine – her Singer 99 – when I was around 9 years old. I wanted to make things like she was. She had given me cards with holes and shoestring to lace them up when I was younger, but I wanted my foot on that sewing machine pedal! I started making Barbie clothes from scraps my mother gave me. Around age 13 we were visiting an old neighbor of my mother’s, and her daughter had recently moved back home to care for her. The daughter was a retired seamstress who had worked studios in California during the time of the big shows like Hollywood Palace, Carol Burnett, etc. She showed me how to draft a skirt pattern from my own measurements and made a red wool skirt for me with the hem faced in organza. She gifted me with a pair of seamstress shears that she had used in her work, the kind with sharp points. Of course I still have them!
Colette
My Great Grandmother taught me to sew on buttons when I was 3 so she do the bigger mending jobs. My mother taught me how to use a machine when I was about 8, but clothing construction, zippers, and eventually quilting I learned by reading, and trial and error.
Lynn Ehrmantraut
My grandmother – I was about 7 years old…she had an old Singer treadle machine, she would save up tissue paper from gifts and we would sew simple tissue paper dresses that would last the afternoon of play!
Justine Parker
I’m self taught by using books and you tube. I got the urge when pregnant with my now 3 yr old daughter. I ‘needed’ to make her a quilt and curtains so I bought a $100 sewing machine and figured it out! My Mum and Nanna were great seamstress’ so I must have picked up something from them, although I loathe making clothes!!
Comments are closed.